Does running synthetic oil defeat the purpose of a block heater?

Since you 'know' this, I assume you are a certified tribologist and are working with a team of experts to have Toyota change their specs?

 

This thread brought back a long forgotten memory. I was camping and hunting in a pretty rugged remote area back in the 1970's. An older hunter was driving an old surplus military Jeep. Every evening he drained the oil out of the Jeep. Every morning he heated it over his camp stove before pouring it back it so that it would start.

I don't live where a block heater is normally needed. At least not for gas engines. Lots of folks using diesel engines use them. But if I did I'd use one. Better oil certainly helps, but I'd still take advantage of the heater if needed.

 

Why did you think I was talking about you? OP has a 2004 SR5, which requires 5W30 according to the owner's manual.

 

The only truck I needed to plug in was a diesel. Everything else started just fine at -40.

 

I basically drive in brine for 4 months each year. No point in having a block heater because the engine will outlast the frame.

 

bob87... a pre-luber is an electric driven oil pump that is plumbed into the oiling system usually via the oil pressure port to get the oil pressure up before engine start.

 

Too bad for you truck, KenLyns ! We have quite a lot of road salt where I live , and the two Acuras I resold to a friend went for ten years and more without anything more serious than a few spots of surface rust. The same for a Civic my wife owned eleven years and resold easily.
I had my Tacoma rustproofed when new; I am aware of Toyota's frame rust problems so, we'll see what happens... Good luck, anyway.

By the way Glamisman, thanks for the info regarding the pre-luber; it adds to my mechanical awareness.